The 15 Best Places to Go Stargazing in Honolulu

For most people, a trip to Hawaii means a vacation full of beaches and sunshine. For space enthusiasts among us, it also means a chance to kick back, relax, and enjoy some leisurely stargazing, with maybe a palm tree or two in the foreground.

But can you go stargazing near the popular Hawaiian destination of Honolulu? After all, Honolulu is a big city – and that means light pollution. But, as it turns out, you can go stargazing in Honolulu. Many of Oahu’s most popular beaches turn into great stargazing spots when the sun goes down, and are close enough to the city to work as reasonable destinations for visitors.

Read on to learn where you can try and glimpse the night sky from Honolulu itself, and where to explore beyond the city if you want to see the stars.

In this post, I promote traveling to a destination that is the traditional lands of the Kānaka Maoli (Native Hawaiian) peoples. With respect, I make a formal land acknowledgment, extending my appreciation and respect to the past and present people of these lands. To learn more about the peoples who call these lands home, I invite you to explore Native Land.

This post was originally published in July 2018 and was updated most recently in January 2023.

The Best Spots for Stargazing in Honolulu

Honolulu, as the picture demonstrates above, can be a bright city by day, under the Hawaiian sun, and by night. As such, there aren’t a ton of stargazing options in the city itself. You can explore the map to see spots in and near the city, then read on to learn more about them.

Diamond Head State Monument

Diamond Head State Monument is the crater of a dormant volcano. Although the gates close at 6 pm, it’s still possible to get an excellent view of the stars from its parking area. It’s also a popular tourist attraction, so expect a crowd to be there.

Honolulu, HI 96815, dlnr.hawaii.gov

Bishop Museum

Bishop Museum is the largest museum in Hawaii and is a great place to learn more about the history of the state. Thanks to its J. Watumull Planetarium, it’s also one of the best spots in the city to go stargazing. It hosts a number of astronomical events throughout the year, all of which are coordinated to provide the best stargazing experience possible.

1525 Bernice St., Honolulu, HI 96817, bishopmuseum.org

Stargazing Spots Within One Hour of Honolulu

As is the case for most stargazing city guides, if you’re willing to go a bit out of the city, you’ll be well-rewarded with great stargazing opportunities. Most of these spots can actually be reached in 30 minutes or less!

One quick note before you start exploring: these locations, especially the ones along the coast, can be more treacherous at night due to slippery conditions and tides. Be sure to check in advance so you know where to park, which trails are open, and what the tides will be like when you head out stargazing.

Mount Tantalus

Mount Tantalus is a massive cinder cone located near the city of Honolulu. Along with providing a great view of Honolulu in general, it also provides an excellent view of the night sky. It’s a perfect spot for those who enjoy both hiking and stargazing.

Honolulu, HI 96813, hawaii.com

Spitting Caves

The Spitting Caves is a cliffside walking trail that’s popular for hiking, cliff diving, and whale watching. Its isolation from the rest of civilization also makes it a good place to observe the stars. Please be careful though. The path is slippery and the waters can be dangerous.

7 Lumahai St., Honolulu, HI 96825

China Walls

China Walls is a series of lava ledges on the edge of the ocean, not far from Spitting Caves. There are excellent views to the west and south from China Walls, but looking west will include some light pollution from Honolulu. For that reason it’s a great spot to look south toward the Milky Way.

Hanapepe Pl, Honolulu, HI 96825

Hanauma Bay

This beach is a very famous tourist area, and is a great place for snorkeling and watching marine life. It’s open at night two weekends a month for night snorkeling. This is a good time to grab your telescope and go stargazing. The beach’s lack of light pollution makes it very easy to see the stars.

7455 Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96825, hanaumabaystatepark.com 

Lanai Lookout

This scenic lookout is one of Hawaii’s lesser-known attractions. It’s a good spot for whale watching and provides an amazing view of the Pacific Ocean. It’s overall isolation also makes it one of the better places to go stargazing. The tides can be a little intense sometimes, so be careful.

Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96825, htourshawaii.com

Halona Blowhole

The Halona Blowhole is one of Hawaii’s most incredible natural wonders. It shoots geysers up to thirty feet in the air when the conditions are right. It also never closes, making it a very convenient spot for watching the stars. Once again, conditions can be very dangerous here. Please exercise caution.

Kalanianaole Hwy., Honolulu, HI 96825, hawaii.com

Sandy Beach Park

Sandy Beach Park and the neighboring dunes to the east offer a long stretch of sandy beach with southeastern views for stargazing. Whether you choose to view the night sky from Ke One Kula Lookout or stroll along one of Hawaii’s popular, pristine beaches under the starlight, you’ll have plenty of space to find a perfect spot to see the sky.

8549 Kalanianaʻole Hwy, Honolulu, HI 96825

Hokulani Imaginarium

The Hokulani Imaginarium is a planetarium that uses some of the most state-of-the-art equipment available. It hosts stargazing shows on the second Wednesday of every month. Its presenter, Krissie Kellogg, is extremely knowledgeable, making this an excellent opportunity to learn more about the night skies of Hawaii.

Kaneohe, HI 96744, aerospace.wcc.hawaii.edu 

Stargazing Spots Within Two Hours of Honolulu

As the island of Oahu isn’t that large of an island – just 44 miles long and 30 miles wide –, you can pretty easily explore the whole island within a few hours. That means you can also reach the best stargazing spots on Oahu within two hours – or even visit more than one in a single night. (Conversely, there aren’t as many stargazing spots to choose from, but these ones make up for it once the sun goes down and you see how dark the skies are!)

Mokule’ia Beach Park

Mokule’ia Beach Park is another one of Hawaii’s most popular beaches. Its nearest town is also a fairly long distance away. This means you won’t have to worry too much about light pollution. The beach gets very dark at night, making it one of the best places to go stargazing in Hawaii.

Farrington Hwy, Waialua, HI 96791, htourshawaii.com

Kaena Point State Park

Kaena Point State Park is the westernmost tip of Oahu. According to legend, it’s also where Hawaiian souls depart to the next world. There are many activities available here such as hiking, snorkeling, and surfing. It’s also one of the darkest places in Oahu at night. In fact, it’s very possible to see the Milky Way from here.

Waialua, HI 96791, dlnr.hawaii.gov

Wahiawa Heights

Wahiawa Heights is a nice, quiet neighborhood that’s good for getting away from the city lights of Honolulu. There are many small parks in this area that get very dark at night. These are good places to set up your telescope and gaze at the stars. It’s also fairly quiet here, and you’ll more or less have the place to yourself.

Wahiawa, HI 96786, locationshawaii.com

Ala Wai Canal

While you’ll definitely be facing some serious light pollution while stargazing from the heart of Honolulu at Ala Wai Canal, it’s a nice spot to enjoy nightlife and still enjoy a peek of the stars overhead. There are obviously buildings and light in the area, but especially near Ala Wai Community Park and toward Ala Wai Golf Course you can find pockets of decent darkness

Honolulu, HI 96826

Waikiki Beach

If you’re planning a trip to Honolulu or live in the area, you likely already know Waikiki Beach and will spend at least a few days there, under the sun. Once the sun goes down, it’s a decent spot for stargazing, especially if you’re not willing to drive elsewhere to find a better place to see the night sky. There will be a lot of pollution from the high-rises and buildings that line the beach, but if you look south, you should have an okay view of the stars.

Honolulu, HI 96815

How Good is the Stargazing in Honolulu?

As Hawaii’s largest city, you’re going to have a very difficult time finding good stargazing opportunities in Honolulu. Even in spots like Bishop Museum, you’re going to be dealing with a lot of light pollution. To really see the stars in Oahu, you’re going to have to get away from the city.

Unfortunately, some of the best stargazing spots on the island have rather hazardous conditions. This obviously becomes even worse at night. You’re still welcome to give these spots a try. However, please know what you’re getting into and take necessary precautions.

Best Times of Year to Go Stargazing in Honolulu

The best time to go stargazing in Hawaii is generally between the months of February and September. The summer months, in particular, provide the most ideal conditions. This is when the nights are darkest and you have the best chance of seeing the Milky Way.

In addition to this, the tides can be especially dangerous during the winter months. For these reasons, it’s best to avoid stargazing near Honolulu during the winter.

Can You See the Milky Way in Honolulu?

Of all the Hawaiian islands, Oahu suffers from the most light pollution. This makes it really difficult to see the Milky Way. This is unfortunate because it’s relatively easy to find on the other islands.

If you want to see the Milky Way without having to drive too far, your best bet is to go to Kaena Point State Park. The skies get very dark here, so getting a glimpse of the Milky Way is a very real possibility. You also have a good chance of seeing it at Wahiawa Heights. To improve your odds, make sure you visit during the summer and wait for a new moon.

Do you have other questions about stargazing in Honolulu? Let me know in the comments.

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